Cerebrolysin

The caviar of Neurotrophic Nootropics for boundless BDNF and never-ending nerve growth.

Cerebrolysin's primary clinical purpose is the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases but as any informed Biohacker knows, few drugs are designed for the specific purpose of upgrading performance in otherwise healthy people. In this regard, Cerebrolysin has a similar research profile to other popular smart drugs I'm well acquainted with...

Scientific Research
A Neurotrophic Nootropic
Vs Alzheimer's
Boost BDNF
Injectable Neuropeptide
Derived from Pig Brains
Vs Spinal Cord Injury
Vs Autism
Experiential
Sources
Usage and dosage
Cofactors
Side Effects
Risk Grade
Conclusion
Cerebrolysin Videos

This article is mostly going to focus on decoding what the human studies are saying about Cerebrolysin and how this squares up with the anecdotal experiences of Biohackers online. For more of my own personal experiences, thoughts, and comparisons please see the written and video reviews in the sidebar.

 Scientific Research

This is a peptide-based Nootropic with an impressive 165 human studies referenceable on Pubmed, over 30 human clinical trials have been done with Cerebrolysin in the past 10 years alone which is an appreciable amount of research. Piracetam has approximately the same amount of recent human trials. Its manufacturer, EverNeuro Pharma in Austria, published an 84-page monograph with everything you could possibly want to know about it - if you're going to inject Cerebrolysin read at least the relevant sections of the monograph, this is one Nootropic you want to do your homework on before using!

 A Neurotrophic Nootropic

The most significant benefit that otherwise healthy people can expect from Cerebrolysin thanks to its Neurotropic mechanism is improved long-term memory.

A European Biohacker on Longecity very articulately explained the connection between long-term memory and the Neurotropic mechanism:

Memory is largely handled and processed at a brain structure called the hippocampus. In order for it to process data (to be memorized) it has to receive data from the sensory organs, vision, hearing, touch, smell etc. This data is transmitted along nerve fibers which in reality are neurons connected end to end with the understanding that on end of a long extension of one neuron (the axon) connects with a short extension of the next neuron (the dendrite) all these extensions originate from the body of the neuron (brain cell).
What complicates matters is that these data are in the form of electrical impulses and that the connection (called a synapse) is not 100%, i.e there is a GAP between the axon and the dendrite. The latter problem is solved by a substance called: neurotransmitters. The are expressed at the gap (called synaptic cleft) so the signal can traverse the gap assisted by this neurotransmitter substance. Examples of neurotransmitters are acetylcholine, serotonine etc . For a memory to be recorded as long term memory, the signal has to pass frequently, much like if you pass through a lawn frequently you will leave a trail of dead grass. This requires synaptic strengthening.
How is this achieved. We got to delve deeper here. Neurotransmitters work by coupling with receptors and thereby transfer the signal on so to say. To strengthen the synaptic passing of the signal we need more receptors and or more synapses. The formation of new synapses is called synaptogenesis. How is this acieved? Well receptors as well as synapses being constructed mainly of protein, we would require protein synthesis, the production of protein which is done by the cell itself (in-house factory). In the process of protein synthesis a factor is needed, its called Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) for short.

The Holy Grail of Neurogenesis

It grows neurons in the hypothalamus and cortical neurons which is "the holy grail of neurogenesis" - according to Tim of Two Cyborgs.

 Vs Alzheimer's

The best study I found was a 2016 randomized, double-blind clinical trial entitled (partially) Synergistic Increase of Serum BDNF in Alzheimer Patients Treated with Cerebrolysin, which studied 52 patients who were administered Cerebrolysin for 16 weeks

A significant increase of serum BDNF values with respect to baseline was observed at week 16 in patients treated with Cerebrolysin alone or in combination with donepezil...

 Boost BDNF

The trial observed that Cerebroslyn increases BDNF by nearly 300% over 16 weeks of dosing yet the BDNF returns to baseline after 12 weeks.

These results indicate that the significant increase of circulating BDNF induced by Cerebrolysin vanished 12 weeks after stopping its administration...

It concluded

In summary, results of the present investigation indicate that: (1) Cerebrolysin increases serum BDNF levels in [Alzheimer] patients and the combined therapy with donepezil augments and prolongs this effect... higher BDNF levels at baseline and week 16 are associated with and predict a better cognitive improvement in ApoE4 patients treated with Cerebrolysin.

 An Injectable Neuropeptide

Here's the part about it that you may not love - you take it as an intramuscular injection. So you gotta take it as a jab in your thighs, glutes, or arms. If needles are a deal-breaker for you, but you're enticed by the idea of neuropeptides I'll direct your attention to MEMOPROVE®, which I did a biohacker trial of, its active ingredient is N-PEP-12™ - a derivative of Cerebrolysin.

 Derived from Pig Brains

Yes, it is a peptide that comes from purified porcine (pig) brain proteins! This will make it a Nootropic that a lot of people categorically reject, however, the risk of prion disease seems nonexistent. There have been hundreds of meta-analysis papers published and I read online many detailed anecdotal accounts by Biohackers and none of them reported incidences of infection. This is a pharmaceutical drug that is produced to stringent quality standards. One English Biohacker explained...

The standard method of sterilising (suspected) prions on medical tools is hydrolysis - via immersion in a dilute NaOH solution.
This is how cerebrolysin is made, and it is even stored in ampoules in a dilute NaOH solution too.

 Vs Spinal Cord Injury

From a 2012 paper out of the University of California...

Cerebrolysin is a neuropeptide preparation which mimics the action of endogenous neurotrophic factors on brain protection and repair...
Neuroprotective effects of Cerebrolysin on experimentally induced traumatic spinal cord injury have shown that Cerebrolysin prevents apoptosis of lesioned motoneurons and promotes functional recovery.

 Vs Autism

Interestingly, it's been evaluated as an autism treatment. A Russian clinical trial of 25 young autistic children administered it for 180 days and concluded

Significant or very significant improvement was achieved after the 1st Cerebrolysin course in 38% patients, after the 2nd course in more than 50% and to the end of the follow-up (180th day) in 71% of patients. There were no cases of deterioration during the trial.

This should be good news for parents of autistic children! Might a "cure for autism" (for some) come at the point of a needle? 

 Experiential

A European Biohacker used it extensively and reported on the effects on memory...

In terms of memory, recall feels improved but mainly on medium to long-term memory, I don't detect any improvements in working memory...
I have been learning Javascript / Node.js / React.js and Meteor and I do feel my recall of things learned is much better, like I can remember the code clearer, though I don't think it works to improve your ability to pattern recognize or solve problems

To enhance working memory, you would want to do Dual N-Back brain training - cognitive cross-training can make you one dangerous web developer!

One London Biohacker reported

There had been one thing that I have been unable to get from my current nootropic stack - the feeling of youth. I always feel slow these days compared to when I was 18-20, I always look back and wish I could get that kind of mental energy back, the way I wouldn't get tired at night and want to go home.
Cerebrolysin brought it back, this enthusiasm and mental speed, and youthful positive energy, and not being mentally tired so easily. I flew through my work which in the past would have shattered me, and I chatted up a 23 year old girl whilst walking home, I was mentally quick and positive, she loved it.
It was like when I was 20 again, I could just feel this youthful mental energy all over me.

So you may find that Cerebrolysin is a real Benjamin Button Biohack for youthful vitality (and daygame) like this Londoner!

From some reviews of the neuropeptide, ALIGOD reported...

This product helped keep my mind active all day. Additionally, it "resets" my brain, making it emotionally balanced and stress free. For people who don't sleep well, it will be beneficial to prevent any dementia in the future if you use it regularly.

Ronan Ridgway called it "The BEST Nootropic, hands down."

Absolutely incredible product. I noticed a clear improvement in memory recollect and retention, in addition, to reducing general overhead with problem solving. Works great at reducing general cognitive faults (ADHD, forgetfulness, mental fatigue, etc.) My experience is 3-5mL a day for 1 week with 2 weeks off and stopping at 3 cycles.

Something that a lot of experimenters seem to agree on is that it delivers sustained cognitive enhancement, you do a one or two-week course of injections and your mind and memory will stay sharp for weeks or months after.

 Sources

My go-to source for this sort of thing is RUPharma based in Moscow, offering EverNeuro Pharma's CEREBROLYSIN® - you'll want to order from them using cryptocurrency.

CEREBROLYSIN®

Category: Nootropics & Anti-Aging

Cerebrolysin is NOT cheap stuff, if you're a biohacker ballin' on a budget who MUST inject neuropeptides consider its little brother Cortexin.

Downloadable Cerebrolysin?

You may be interested in taking it as an infoceutical - a non-pharmacological, side-effect-free version of the supplement that takes advantage of the phenomenon of water memory - which is imprinted on water via quantum collocation and electromagnetism using this device...

IC Pad by Infopathy

 

4.3

Category: Mind Hardware

Infocueticals typically have 1/3 or half the effect of the actual medicine being imprinted. If you're skeptical of Infopathy that's understandable, it's a game-changing application of a little-known scientific phenomenon. But I'd urge you to evaluate the scientific evidence (presented in my biohacker review) that downloadable medicine is no longer science fiction...

 Usage and dosage

If you're using it as a Nootropic for brainpower, 10 milliliters is fine.

Some clinical trials administered it in doses of up to 60 ml without adverse effects.

According to numerous self-experimenters, it is easy to screw up the injection itself, which can be painful. Ideally, a professional should do the injection, but if you're going to DIY it take your time and watch this video...

Leo makes the case here for injecting in the chest, shoulders, or neck because these sites are simply closer to the brain. Sitting on a stool and injecting into a large muscle directly below the skin is your best bet. Pull the skin tight over the injection site. Be careful with glass ampules, especially if you're clumsy like me, it's easy to accidentally cut yourself opening them. 

No need to clear space in the fridge, it's fine stored at room temperature. If you put it in a syringe and leave it in the refrigerator it will oxidize and go bad, according to Leo here on the More Plates More Dates podcast. Its shelf life is at least 5 years.

 Cofactors

Donepezil - There are 10 scientific papers published on the two; they appear to share synergies in boosting BDNF and neuroplasticity.

 Side Effects

• According to the monograph and clinical trials, the documented side effects (allergic reaction to the shot, subcutaneous tissue irritation, Gastrointestinal disorders, etc) are vanishingly rare.
• Two Cyborgs reports infrequent minor headaches on injection days.

 Risk Grade: B

While not exactly well-known, it's the furthest thing from an experimental drug. It was developed in the 1950s in Austria and has been used since in Europe. If there were risk of prion's disease or other serious adverse effects there would have already been class-action lawsuits leveled at the drug. From the monograph's synopsis of preclinical safety data...

• The LD50 of the stuff is quite high, they really had to pump a lot of the stuff into rats to kill them.
• Chronic toxicity was hard to determine even at very high doses in animals.
• No reproductive toxicity, mutagenicity, or carcinogenicity was discernable in clinical trials.

However, two real risks get it devoted to a B risk grade...

• It is easy to hurt yourself doing the injection. Be very careful with needles and glass ampules. A slip of the hand might result in a nasty skin infection!
• Since this is something you inject you want to make doubly sure that you're injecting legit, pure Cerebrolysin - choose the branded pharmaceutical stuff, and pass on cheap knockoffs.

 Conclusion

I have some Cerebrolysin but ultimately I decided against using it - I don't like things injected into my body unless I absolutely need them (which makes me a second-class global citizen these days!) The BDNF enhancement mechanism is tempting but there are less invasive ways of boosting BDNF, notably the Nootropic Semax. If enhancing long-term memory is what you want Piracetam does that reliably. The Cerebrolysin I'll keep in deep storage in my biohacker armamentarium until such time that other Nootropics fail to meet my cognitive enhancement demands.